Poll observers from both parties camped out at voter check-in tables in New Boston to record any irregularities, but few were found during the first half of election day. (NANCY BEAN FOSTER)

New Boston voters turn out in big numbers

By NANCY BEAN FOSTERUnion Leader Correspondent

NEW BOSTON - By 11 a.m., more than 100 new people had registered to vote, and of them, most decided to cast their ballots without choosing a party.

Turnout in New Boston, that has around 3,500 voters, was heavy Tuesday morning.

"We had 300 voters in the first hour," said election worker Don Champman, "and 900 votes by 10 a.m."

More than 100 people registered to vote Tuesday morning, said election worker David Murdrick, which is unusually high for the small town.

"It's really high," he said. "Usually we only get a handful."

And it wasn't clear which party those new voters were favoring, he said.

"We've gotten a lot of undeclareds," he said.

Voter ID issues were virtually nonexistent in New Boston and only one person, out of protest, had to fill out an affidavit to vote.

"We had one woman who had her ID in her pocket but refused to show it," said Chapman. "But it wasn't a problem."

Polls watchers from both the Obama and the Romney camps were stationed at every check-in table in the Central School gym and were keeping an eye on the rolls to ensure that only registered voters were casting ballots.

Debra Davis, a volunteer for Obama's campaign, said she was also keeping tabs on who hadn't shown up to vote.

"We have a very narrow list of who didn't vote yet and later we'll be calling them to find out if they need a ride or to persuade them to come out and vote," she said.